September 16, 2025|
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|3 months agoSwiss justice system faces scrutiny over international crimes cases
Despite promises to prioritize international crime cases, Switzerland's handling of universal jurisdiction cases continues to face criticism for delays and alleged political interference.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Since international crimes cases were transferred to civil justice authorities in 2011, Switzerland has secured only two convictions.
- Former Gambian Interior Minister Ousman Sonko was sentenced to 20 years in jail for crimes against humanity in May 2024.
- Swiss Attorney General Stefan BlÀttler took office in 2022 promising to prioritize international crimes.
- Complaints regarding the pillaging of rosewood in Senegal (2019) and oil in Libya (2020) involving Swiss entities remain unresolved.
By The Numbers
20 years
Prison Sentence
2
Total Convictions
14 years
Case Duration
They Said
"As the nation where the Red Cross idea started, we have a special moral obligation to do something."
"Both the federal police and the Office of the Attorney General work with inadequate means, which eventually has an impact on the effectiveness of prosecutions."